Hyperopia

Hyperopia

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is a common vision problem affecting about a fourth of the population. People with Hyperopia can see distant objects very well, but have difficulty focusing on objects that are up close. The condition is sometimes referred to as "Hypermetropia" rather than Hyperopia.

Treatment

Hyperopia treatment aims to help light focus correctly on the retina. Corrective lenses or refractive surgery may achieve this.

Corrective Lenses

The goal of treating farsightedness is to help focus light on the retina through the use of corrective lenses or refractive surgery.

In young people, treatment isn't always necessary because the crystalline lenses inside the eyes are flexible enough to compensate for the condition. Depending on the degree of farsightedness, you may need prescription lenses to improve your near vision. This is especially likely as you age and the lenses inside your eyes become less flexible.

Wearing prescription lenses treats farsightedness by counteracting the decreased curvature of your cornea or the smaller size (length) of your eye. Types of prescription lenses include:

• Eyeglasses: This is a simple, safe way to sharpen vision caused by farsightedness. The variety of eyeglass lenses is wide and includes single vision, bifocals, and progressive multifocal.

• Contact Lenses: These lenses are worn right on your eyes. They are available in a variety of materials and designs, including soft and rigid, gas permeable in combination with spherical, tori, multifocal and monovision designs. Ask your eye doctor about the pros and cons of contact lenses and what might be best for you.